There have been times in my life when the enemy’s lies have trumped the truth of God. This made me feel discouraged, disqualified and defeated. Yet, when I learned that I have authority in Christ and applied the authority of scripture to my life… everything changed.
The lies the enemy tried to make me believe had no power anymore; he had no power.
You have great authority in the name of Jesus. The power of scripture can set you free from the enemy’s lies. It’s important to know the power of it and apply it daily to your life. Let it change you to be more like Christ.
Knowing these truths will allow you to be a mighty warrior for Jesus and live empowered, not defeated.
Is the Word of God True?
The word of God is 100% true.
“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6, NLT)
You can trust it completely. God never lies. That is how you know you can stand in his word and use it as a mighty weapon against the lies of the enemy. When you know—and fully believe in your heart—the accuracy of God’s word, your faith will keep the enemy from stealing the truth from you. Your faith is powerful and allows you to stand undefeated in Jesus and in his truth from the Bible.
Walking in the Power and Authority of God
God has given you power and authority through the sacrifice Jesus made for you. Authority stems from his power so it’s important not to have pride in it; he deserves all the glory, honor, and recognition.
Don’t ever feel defeated. Recognize his authority in your life and then choose to walk in it. You are in a fight against the enemy, so keep pressing into Jesus by proclaiming the truth and by reading it in the Bible. Don’t be passive. Don’t become comfortable when life seems good. The enemy is always trying to get you.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)
Sometimes it means you keep going even when you are afraid, or you keep pressing into faith when things seem so impossible. These actions show the enemy you are not going to let him win—that you strongly believe in Jesus, that you trust him, and that you stand in the truth of the Bible.
Scriptures on Authority of the Believer
To seal the truth that you have authority in Christ, it’s vital to know Bible verses about authority and power. Here are some scriptures on authority over the enemy:
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19, NIV)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NIV)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NIV)
“… for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4, NIV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Authority of Scripture
You have authority in Christ. One way of executing that authority means you need to know scripture and rely on its power to defeat the enemy. This will help you stand in the armor of God, as well as wield the sword of the Spirit, which is a mighty weapon against the enemy.
Jesus demonstrated how to implement the authority of scripture when he was tempted by the enemy in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. I have outlined some steps that Jesus took to help you stand strong in the authority of scripture against the enemy—so you can live the empowered life he wants you to live.
1. Trust the Power of the Holy Spirit
In the beginning of Matthew 4, we read how Jesus was led by the Spirit into an attack.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1, NIV)
When you are led by the Spirit, you can trust that he has taken you there for a reason and that he won’t abandon you to any attack, even in your weakness. Study God’s word, stay close to him, and know scripture. Trust the Spirit to allow you to remember the word of God and stand fully in its power.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26, NIV)
Also, you need to fully believe it and not have doubt in the word of God, as Jesus modeled. You can trust that the Spirit is all powerful: he allows you to defeat the enemy and to stand strong in the authority of scripture.
2. Know the Word of God
Jesus knew the word of God and he stood boldly in it using the words “it is written.” You can see this in Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7 and Matthew 4:10.
Know the power of scripture and confidently proclaim it, as Jesus did. Saying “it is written” means it’s completely true, overpowering what the enemy was saying to tempt him.
You need to memorize and recite scripture with a mind of certainty: it is truth and has power. When you proclaim it, it brings one hundred percent victory. Throw memorized scriptures at the enemy. Have Bible verses at hand when he is attacking you and recite them against his lies and temptations. The more you know scripture, the more empowered you can stand. Have full faith in the word.
3. Be Persistent
The enemy kept coming at Jesus, and he will do the same to you. Therefore, like Jesus, you need to be on guard and be persistent; do not grow weary or back down.
Don’t give up, even if you feel defeated. The enemy can’t stand against the power of God’s word.
“Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:11, NIV)
The enemy had to leave. You have the authority through scripture to make him flee, also. God’s word holds the power of God. Don’t back down to the enemy. Keep standing in the word of God.
Jesus has given you power through the authority of scripture. He shows this authority in the book of Matthew when he was tempted by the enemy in the wilderness.
You need to trust the power of the Holy Spirit, know God’s word, and be persistent to stand in the authority of scripture. You have power through him—you just need to know it, stand in it, and execute it. You are a mighty warrior through Christ.
